Pat O’Brien Stakes

Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series > Pat O’Brien Stakes

Pat O’Brien Stakes Race Facts

  • Location: Del Mar Racetrack, Del Mar, CA
  • Inaugural Race: 1980
  • Distance: 7/8ths of a mile (7 furlongs)
  • Track Type: Left-handed, Dirt
  • Age Qualifications: Three Year Olds and up
  • 2022 Purse: $250,000
  • 2022 Race Date: Saturday, August 27th

2022 Pat O’Brien Stakes Race Results

POSTHORSEJOCKEY / TRAINERWIN / PLACE / SHOW
7Laurel RiverJuan J. Hernandez / Bob Baffert$15.80 / $7.20 / $6.20
4American TheoremJoe Bravo / George Papaprodromou$5.00 / $4.20
10Senor BuscadorEdwin A. Maldonado / Todd W. Fincher$10.00
8Speaker's CornerMike E. Smith / William I. Mott
6The Chosen VronHector Isaac Berrios / J. Eric Kruljac
9DefundedAbel Cedillo / Bob Baffert
5Get Her NumberRamon A. Vazquez / Peter Miller
1C Z RocketUmberto Rispoli / Peter Miller
2Principe CarloVictor Espinoza / Librado Barocio
3RestrainedvengenceTiago Josue Pereira / Val Brinkerhoff

Exotic Payoffs:

  • $1.00 Exacta (7-4) Paid: $36.90
  • $0.50 Trifecta (7-4-10) Paid: $249.15
  • $0.10 Superfecta (7-4-10-8) Paid: $240.70

Watch the 2022 Pat O’Brien Stakes

Pat O’Brien Stakes Race History

The Pat O’Brien Handicap is a Grade II horse race run each year at the Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, CA. The race is named for Del Mar co-founder Pat O’Brien, an accomplished character actor who often starred along with Hollywood legend James Cagney. A massive fan of horse racing, O’Brien served on the founding Board of Directors for Del Mar along with other notable figures such as Bing Crosby and Willam A. Quigley.

A few notable horses have won the race, including the 1995 winner Lit de Justice. Not only did he set the dirt speed record* with a time of 1:20.06, but he went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Sprint the next year as part of his Sprint Horse Championship campaign. 1996 winner Alphabet Soup went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic that year, and 2014 winner Goldencents parlayed his victory into a repeat win at the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

Currently, Victor Espinoza is the winningest jockey in the races’ history with six, a title he has held since 2009. Legendary trainer Bob Baffert has notched a record eight wins at the race, including four straight victories between 2010 and 2013.

The race is featured in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” Series, awarding the winner an automatic bid to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

*Goldencents holds the Polytrack speed record with a time of 1:20.99 which he set in 2014

Pat O’Brien Stakes Past Winners

YearWinnerJockey / TrainerDistance / Time
2022Laurel RiverJuan J. Hernandez / Bob Baffert7 F / 1:21.37
2021GinobiliDrayden Van Dyke / Richard Baltas7 F / 1:22.36
2020C Z RocketFlavien Prat / Peter L. Miller7 F / 1:22.25
2019Catalina CruiserFlavien Prat / John W. Sadler7 F / 1:22.00
2018Catalina CruiserDrayden Van Dyke / John W. Sadler7 F / 1:22.13
2017Giant ExpectationsGary L. Stevens / Peter Eurton7 F / 1:21.08
2016MasochisticTyler Baze / Ronald W. Ellis7 F / 1:20.31
2015Appealing TaleJoseph Talamo / Peter L. Miller7 F / 1:21.40
2014GoldencentsRafael Bejarano / Doug F. O'Neill7 F / 1:20.99
2013Fed BizMartin Garcia / Bob Baffert7 F / 1:21.12
2012Capital AccountDavid R. Flores / Bob Baffert7 F / 1:21.56
2011The FactorMartin Garcia / Bob Baffert7 F / 1:21.56
2010El BrujoJoel Rosario / Bob Baffert7 F / 1:21.70
2009ZensationalVictor Espinoza / Bob Baffert7 F / 1:22.31
2008Lewis MichaelRené R. Douglas / Wayne M. Catalano7 F / 1:21.17
2007Greg's GoldVictor Espinoza / David E. Hofmans7 F / 1:23.95
2006Siren LureAlex O. Solis / Art Sherman7 F / 1:21.89
2005ImperialismVictor Espinoza / Kristin Mulhall7 F / 1:21.70
2004KelaTyler Baze / Mike R. Mitchell7 F / 1:21.17
2003DisturbingthepeaceVictor Espinoza / Darrell Vienna7 F / 1:21.53
2002DisturbingthepeaceVictor Espinoza / Darrell Vienna7 F / 1:21.89
2001El CorredorVictor Espinoza / Bob Baffert7 F / 1:20.42
2000Love That RedCorey Nakatani / Bob Baffert7 F / 1:21.89
1999Regal ThunderChris Antley / Julio C. Canani7 F / 1:21.13
1998Old TopperEddie Delahoussaye / Noble Threewitt7 F / 1:21.51
1997Tres ParaisoGary L. Stevens / Darrell Vienna7 F / 1:21.45
1996Alphabet SoupChris Antley / David E. Hofmans7 F / 1:20.79
1995Lit de JusticeCorey Nakatani / Jenine Sahadi7 F / 1:20.06
1994D'HallevantCorey Nakatani / Ron McAnally7 F / 1:20.25
1993SlerpAdalberto Diaz Lopez / Robert B. Hess Jr.7 F / 1:21.36
1992Light of MornEddie Delahoussaye / Rodney Rash7 F / 1:20.65
1991BruhoCorey Nakatani / Jerry M. Fanning7 F / 1:21.40
1990Sensational StarRafael Q. Meza / William Spawr7 F / 1:20.60
1989Olympic NativeRobbie Davis / Mike J. Orman7 F / 1:20.20
1988SebrofGary L. Stevens / Laz Barrera7 F / 1:20.40
1987Zany TacticsJack L. Kaenel / Blake R. Heap7 F / 1:21.20
1986Bold BrawleyPat Valenzuela / Ronald W. Ellis7 F / 1:20.40
1981–1985Race not held
1980SeafoodMarco Castaneda / Robert J. Frankel7 1⁄2 F / 1:30.40